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England skipper Andrew Strauss has signed a two-year contract extension that ties him to Middlesex until 2012.

Strauss, 33, put pen to paper on the new deal just a day before he flies out to Australia to lead his country in this winter's Ashes tour.

Middlesex managing director of cricket, Angus Fraser said: "Naturally, we are delighted that Andrew has chosen to remain at Middlesex.

"We expect Andrew's involvement with Middlesex over the next couple of years to be minimal - he has bigger fish to fry with England - but when he is available to play for us he is a great person to have around.

"His presence is extremely reassuring and he sets a superb example to all our young cricketers."

Strauss, who has been at Middlesex since 1997, will be accompanied by county team-mates Steven Finn and Eoin Morgan in Australia as England look to win a series Down Under for the first time since 1986/87.

"The club takes great pride in producing England cricketers and everyone at Middlesex hopes that Andrew follows in the footsteps of fellow Middlesex and England captains Mike Gatting and Mike Brearley in winning an Ashes series in Australia," Fraser added.

"It would be a fantastic hat-trick for the club.

"In the 2010 domestic cricket season Middlesex did not perform as we wanted to but as a club we must be doing something right.

"To have three players travelling on an Ashes tour is a great achievement.

"In Strauss we have an outstanding England captain and in Eoin Morgan and Steven Finn two of the most exciting young cricketers not only in England, but the world."